BANGKOK — In a dramatic midnight decree, the Thai Army has prohibited all drone operations across the country, authorizing military personnel to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) detected near sensitive sites. The sweeping ban comes amid heightened security concerns following reports of suspicious drone activity near military installations and border conflict zones.

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Gen. Pana Klaewplodthuk, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), has mobilized Thailand’s four regional army commands to enforce the restrictions. Colonel Richa Suksuvanon, deputy army spokesperson, emphasized that drones flying over military areas now constitute a “serious national security threat,” with rules of engagement permitting armed intervention.

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The military’s urgent action follows multiple civilian reports of unauthorized drone flights, despite a July 29 nationwide ban imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Veteran politician Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom recently witnessed drones hovering over a Surin Province shelter housing Thais displaced by border clashes and alerted authorities. Unconfirmed sightings have also emerged in Bangkok’s outskirts, raising fears of espionage or coordinated surveillance.

Strict Enforcement Protocols Activated

Under the new measures, provincial military commanders—particularly in Army Regions 1 and 2 (covering border zones)—must collaborate with police and civilians to detect and neutralize drones. Rapid-response teams are authorized to employ:

• “Soft kill” tactics (e.g., electronic jamming) as a first response.

• “Hard kill” measures (e.g., gunfire or precision strikes) for imminent threats near borders or bases.

The Thai Army issued an urgent edict in the middle of last night, banning all use of drones, particularly over military zones anywhere in the country. He added that, if found, the army is authorised to destroy the devices.

Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, deputy director of the Internal… pic.twitter.com/cFza9xnMNG

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While Regions 3 and 4 (North/South) prioritize non-lethal methods, soldiers may escalate to lethal force if drones breach restricted airspace. The army underscored that only high-precision weapons may be used to minimize civilian risk.

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A trilingual awareness campaign (Thai/English/Chinese) titled “The Silent Threat from the Sky” warns that drones equipped with surveillance tools—such as infrared cameras—over military or government sites constitute espionage. Violators face severe penalties under national security laws, including:

• Life imprisonment (Criminal Code Section 122[3]).

• Death penalty in extreme cases.

Civilians are urged to report suspicious UAV activity via the 24/7 hotline (1374). The CAAT’s existing ban now carries military enforcement, prohibiting drones “regardless of intent.”

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“This is about protecting our sovereignty,” Col. Richa stated. “Every drone could be a weapon or spy tool in disguise.”

-Thailand News (TN)